ITLS 6201 – Global Distribution Strategy,
Individual Assignment Topics, S2 2023
Due Date: 19 Sep 2023 at 18:00 (please submit via link on Canvas). Please choose and write
a report on one of the topics below.
1. Using traffic data from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics
(BITRE) analyse and discuss long term trends in the Australian airfreight market. For
example, you may note why Australian outbound and inbound airfreight and mail
volumes have performed differently, and be sure to spend time on trends affecting
specific sectors (i.e., AUS-China) and the impact of COVID-19. In a next step, imagine you
are a) a freight forwarder and b) working as a supply chain manager for Prada in Australia.
What does the data tell you from both perspectives? Finally, discuss at least one
innovative business idea that comes to your mind around using/harnessing this data. A
basic dataset with carrier statistics showing inbound and outbound freight/mail tonnage
and passenger statistics by month and airline (from Jan 2009 - Oct 2022) will be provided
on Canvas. The data can also be downloaded and hence (potentially) updated from the
BITRE website (www.bitre.gov.au). Students should also discuss future prospects for
Australian import and export airfreight.
2. Using the World Development annual data for the last nine years up to 2021, which you
can download from Canvas (or more recent data from the World Bank, 2023, which you
should attempt to do), analyse and discuss trends in that data and identify five target
markets that are best for importing and distributing handbags. In a next step, imagine
you are a) a freight forwarder and b) working as a supply chain manager for Prada based
in Italy. What does the data tell you from both perspectives? Finally, discuss at least one
innovative business idea that comes to your mind around using/harnessing this data.
Please note that there is a limit of 4,000 words (12 pages max. in total, including everything) for
this assignment so keep your text short, structured (introduction, main text, conclusions) and
precise. In addition to the trends, you should also discuss the limitations of your analysis and the
available data more generally. Please post any questions on the Canvas assignment question
board. This is also a good way for obtaining feedback and discussing any hypothesis/questions
that you may want to test in the provided data.
31 July 2023